Vet Tech salary

Gulfport vs Pearl: Veterinary Technologist and Technician Salary (2026)

Compare veterinary technologist and technician salaries between Gulfport, MS and Pearl, MS. All figures are 2026 estimates projected from BLS 2025 data.

Gulfport, MS
$38,634
$18.58/hr
Pearl, MS
$42,432
$20.40/hr

Side-by-Side Comparison

MetricGulfport, MSPearl, MS
Median Salary$38,634$42,432
Hourly Rate$18.58$20.40
Entry Level (P10)$29,762$32,682
25th Percentile$35,459$34,979
75th Percentile$39,204$50,257
Top Earner (P90)$46,209$53,611
Total Employed706
Side-by-side bar chart comparing Gulfport ($38,634) and Pearl ($42,432) veterinary technologist and technician salaries.GulfportPearlMedian Salary$38,634$42,432Entry Level (P10)$29,762$32,682Top Earner (P90)$46,209$53,611US Median $49,986

Verdict

Pearl, MS offers better overall compensation for veterinary technologists and technicians, winning 3 out of 4 metrics compared to Gulfport.

The salary gap between Gulfport and Pearl is $3,798 (9.83%). Pearl's median is -15.11% compared to the US national median of $49,986.

Salary Range Comparison

The full salary range (10th to 90th percentile) in Gulfport spans $16,447,Pearl spans $20,929. Pearl has a wider pay range, suggesting more variation in pay between entry-level and experienced veterinary technologist and technicians.

Gulfport
P10 (Entry)$29,762
P25$35,459
Median$38,634
P75$39,204
P90 (Top)$46,209
Pearl
P10 (Entry)$32,682
P25$34,979
Median$42,432
P75$50,257
P90 (Top)$53,611

Cost-of-Living Adjusted Comparison

After cost-of-living adjustment, Pearl ($49,512 effective) pays 15.35% more than Gulfport ($42,924 effective).

Gulfport
Nominal: $38,634
CoL Index: 90.006
Adjusted: $42,924
Pearl
Nominal: $42,432
CoL Index: 85.7
Adjusted: $49,512

Cost-of-living adjustment: salary × (100 / CoL index). Index of 100 = national average.

Which City Is Right for You?

Choose Gulfport if…

  • Larger job market (70 employed)
  • You prefer the Mississippi area and lifestyle

Choose Pearl if…

  • Higher median salary ($42,432/year)
  • Better top-earner potential ($53,611)
  • Better purchasing power (CoL-adjusted: $49,512)
  • You prefer the Mississippi area and lifestyle

Historical Salary Growth Comparison

Based on BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, veterinary technologist and technician salaries in Gulfport grew 35.6% from 2019 to 2025, compared to 57.9% growth in Pearl over the same period.

Gulfport, MS

+35.6%

$27,000 (2019) → $36,620 (2025)

Pearl, MS

+57.9%

$25,466 (2024) → $40,220 (2025)

View Full Salary Data

Frequently Asked Questions

Which city pays veterinary technologist and technicians more: Gulfport or Pearl?

Pearl has a higher median veterinary technologist and technician salary at $42,432/year, compared to Gulfport at $38,634/year — a difference of $3,798 (9.83%).

What is the hourly rate difference between Gulfport and Pearl?

Gulfport veterinary technologist and technicians earn $18.58/hr while Pearl hygienists earn $20.40/hr (2026 est.).

Should I relocate from Gulfport to Pearl as a veterinary technologist and technician?

Consider more than just salary when comparing Gulfport and Pearl. Factor in cost of living (CoL-adjusted: Gulfport = $42,924, Pearl = $49,512), job availability (70 vs 6 employed), commute, and career growth potential.

What do entry-level veterinary technologist and technicians earn in Gulfport vs Pearl?

Entry-level (10th percentile) veterinary technologist and technicians earn $29,762 in Gulfport and $32,682 in Pearl. The Pearl area offers higher starting salaries.
JL

Written by Jordan Lee, CVT

Career Analyst

Jordan has 10 years of experience in veterinary technology. They specialize in emergency care. Jordan has worked in both clinic and hospital settings.

Clinically reviewed by Sofia Patel, RVTData verified by Mark Chen, LVT

Methodology & Data Source

All salary figures are 2026 projections based on BLS OEWS May 2025 data. A 5.50% CAGR (derived from 6-year national BLS trends) was applied to estimate current compensation. Cost-of-living adjustments use BEA Regional Price Parity data. Actual salaries vary by employer, certifications, and experience.

Data Sources & Methodology

Source: BLS, OEWS , released .

Compiled and verified by Jordan Lee, CVT, a licensed veterinary technologist and technician with 10+ years of clinical experience. · View source data at BLS.gov